CM Omar challenges BJP over corruption allegations, says investigative agencies not under his control

Srinagar, Aug 19 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday made an early-morning tour of Srinagar, taking stock of ongoing development works and civic infrastructure in the city, including projects in the Shehr-e-Khaas.
Omar said he, along with his team, began the inspection at around 6:30 am and visited nearly 10 to 12 project sites stretching from Downtown to Uptown Srinagar.
While the progress of most projects was satisfactory, some required greater attention from the administration, he said.
 “These tours allow us to compare what we are told in the Secretariat with the ground reality,” Omar said, stressing that further projects would be taken up to meet the major requirements of Srinagar.
The chief minister said easing congestion and improving traffic management would require particular attention, while identifying the shortage of parking space in Downtown as one of the city’s major challenges.
 On the National Conference manifesto, Omar described it as a five-year roadmap and said the government had continued to work on its commitments.
 “Every point has been touched upon in one way or another, and whatever remains to be done will be completed going forward,” he said.
 Omar said infrastructure-related work was progressing across Jammu and Kashmir in areas such as roads, electricity and water supply.
 He said road blacktopping had been affected by a disruption in bitumen supplies earlier this year, but the supply had since resumed and blacktopping work was back on track.
On drinking water, the chief minister said implementation of projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission had earlier faced a setback but had now received Union Cabinet approval, with funds beginning to be released.
 On power supply, Omar acknowledged that round-the-clock electricity was still not possible everywhere but said the frequency of power cuts had come down considerably and further improvement remained a priority.
 Asked about reported objectionable comments concerning Ayatollah Khomeini in Kargil, Omar said there should be no inappropriate remarks against religious figures and called for respect for religious sentiments.
 “If someone has made such remarks that have hurt the sentiments of people in Kargil, or of the Shia community—which does not live only in Kargil but across the world—then such a thing should not have happened.
The police should take whatever action is required,” he said.
 On his upcoming meeting with the US Ambassador, Omar said the interaction was taking place after a considerable gap and that he was looking forward to it.
 “I would prefer to listen to him more, but he is also coming to listen. Let us see what kind of discussion takes place,” he said.
 Omar made it clear that he would not approach the US envoy with complaints about India, saying matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir would have to be dealt with by the Central Government.
 “The solution to our problems will not come from Washington. Our problems have to be resolved by our Central Government,” he said.
 The chief minister said he would discuss Jammu and Kashmir and the wider regional situation with the ambassador, but would neither seek intervention nor ask the envoy to resolve the Union Territory’s problems.
 Responding to allegations by the BJP regarding corruption in appointments, Omar said the investigative agencies were not under the control of his government and asked those making the allegations to seek a formal probe.
 “The Police is not under my control. The Crime Branch is not under my control. The ACB is not under my control,” he said.
 If there had been corruption, Omar said, the matter should be investigated, a case registered and those found responsible prosecuted.
 On waterlogging in Srinagar, the chief minister described it as a longstanding problem that could not be attributed to the recent past.
 He said several colonies had come up without adequate drainage systems and the administration was now working to provide drainage infrastructure in such areas.
Omar said vulnerable locations, or “black spots”, had been identified and additional pumping capacity would be arranged on an emergency basis when the Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rainfall.
 For a permanent solution, he said the Housing Department was working on drainage projects that would be taken up as funds are made available.
 The chief minister’s inspection of Srinagar comes as the administration seeks to address long-standing concerns related to urban infrastructure, traffic management and civic services in the city.(KNS)